Cuban President Raul Castro has called for “civilised relations” with the United States, saying the two countries should respect their differences. President Castro said the US should drop its demand for regime change on the communist-run island. That would allow both sides to continue work on improving relations, he said. Mr Castro’s comments follow a public handshake with President Obama at the memorial ceremony for Nelson Mandela in South Africa earlier this month. Continue reading the main story “Start Quote We do not ask the United States to change its political and social system.” Raul Castro In a rare public…

LITTLETON, Colo. (AP) — A suburban Denver high school student who was shot in the head by a classmate died Saturday afternoon, hospital officials said in a statement. Claire Davis, 17, was in critical condition after being shot at point-blank range at Arapahoe High School on Dec. 13. Friends and well-wishers had posted prayers online and raised money to help pay for her medical care. STORY: Sheriff: Colo. school shooting suspect identified STORY: Fresh details emerge in Arapahoe High School shooting Davis passed away at 4:29 p.m. surrounded by her family, according to a statement from Littleton Adventist Hospital. “Despite the best…

A Chinese billionaire is feared dead in a helicopter crash that happened as he was surveying his newly-purchased vineyard in south-west France. The helicopter, carrying Lam Kok, his 12-year-old son, the chateau’s ex-owner James Gregoire and an interpreter, came down in the river Dordogne. Police have found the wreckage but have not yet been able to locate all of the missing passengers. The sale of the Bordeaux vineyard had received much local publicity. It was believed to be the biggest investment yet by a Chinese businessman in the Bordeaux wine region. Strong current There had been celebrations at the 16th…

– China’s Defense Ministry called Japan’s plans to raise its military spending for the first time in 10 years deeply worrying for Asia and the world, saying on Saturday that it strongly opposes its neighbor’s policy. Japan said earlier this week it will lift military spending by 2.6 percent over five years, buying early-warning planes, beach-assault vehicles and troop-carrying aircraft. It was seen as the clearest sign since Prime Minister Shinzo Abe took office a year ago that he wants to raise Japan’s military profile to meet what he says is a threat from China’s rapid military buildup and recent actions…